Le Havre: Advancing Cruise Infrastructure and Shore Power Initiatives in France

The Port of Le Havre in France is making significant strides in expanding its cruise infrastructure and implementing shore power initiatives. The expansion plan includes the opening of Terminals 2 and 3, which will happen together in November 2025, while Terminal 1 is set to become operational by the spring of 2026. Once completed, the port will be able to accommodate three cruise ships at the same time, catering to up to 13,500 passengers daily.

Terminals 2 and 3 will have the capacity to handle 6,000 and 4,000 passengers, respectively, supporting both transit stops and full turnaround operations. A notable addition to the design is an open-access park at the end of the quays and a roof walkway linking Terminal 1, without intruding on the ISPS-restricted areas.

In alignment with environmental goals, the port will also install onshore power supply (OPS) systems across its terminals. Testing of the first OPS connection at Terminal 2 is currently underway, with an expected operational date in June 2025. The subsequent connections at Terminals 1 and 3 are scheduled for mid to late 2026. Each quay will cater to ships needing up to 14MW of power, contributing to a total capacity of 30MW across the three berths. The electricity source will include primarily nuclear energy, supplemented by hydropower, solar, wind, and a small portion of LNG.

The total investment for the terminal upgrades and OPS infrastructure is estimated at EUR 120 million, funded by various sources including the French government, the European Union, the Normandy region, HAROPA Port for the OPS segment, and Le Havre Croisières for the terminals.

HAROPA Port indicates that the OPS initiative focuses on enhancing services rather than generating profit, aiming to cut annual CO₂ emissions by about 15,000 tonnes. With mandatory OPS connections required by 2030, non-compliant vessels will face penalties as outlined by EU regulations.

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